Hendon Hooker Scouting Report

Background

NAME: Hendon Hooker

POSITION: QB

SCHOOL: Tennessee

HEIGHT: 6’4″

WEIGHT: 218

CLASS: 6SR

HOMETOWN: Greensboro, NC

HIGH SCHOOL: Dudley

DOB: 1/13/1998

GAMES WATCHED: Alabama, Pitt, Florida, LSU

Career Stats

2018 (3 games at Virginia Tech): 4 carries for 57 yards (14.3 per carry) and 1 TD.
2019 (10 games at Virginia Tech): 99-162 passing (61.1%) for 1,555 yards, 13 TDs, and 2 INT; 123 carries for 356 yards (2.9 per carry) and 5 TD.
2020 (8 games at Virginia Tech): 98-150 passing (65.3%) for 1,339 yards, 9 TDs, and 5 INT; 120 carries for 620 yards (5.2 per carry) and 9 TD; 1 reception for 16 yards.
2021 (13 games): 206-303 passing (68%) for 2,945 yards, 31 TDs, and 3 INT; 166 carries for 616 yards (3.7 per carry) and 5 TDs.
2022 (11 games): 229-329 passing (69.6%) for 3,135 yards, 27 TDs, and 2 INT; 104 carries for 430 yards (4.1 per carry) and 5 TDs.

Biography

Hendon Hooker will be 25 years old by the NFL Draft thanks to a redshirt season and additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Hooker tore his ACL vs. South Carolina after a meteoric rise this fall. His incredible season led to an SEC Offensive Player of the Year, All-America Second Team selection from CBSSports.com and 247Sports, All-America Third Team selection from the Associated Press, and an All-SEC First Team selection. Hooker was also a finalist for the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Manning, and Unitas Awards, as well as a semifinalist for the O’Brien and Jason Witten Man of the Year Awards.

Trait Grades

Arm Talent: 70 (Star)
Accuracy: 60 (Above Average)
Out of Structure: 65 (Star)
Pocket Presence: 60 (Above Average)
Decision Making: 65 (Star)
Mechanics: 65 (Star)
Touch/Placement: 65 (Star)
Progressions: 65 (Star)
Mobility: 70 (Star)
Size/Frame: 70 (Star)
Red Flags: 8.5/10 – 1.5 point demerit for age and ACL injury
Ceiling: 65 (Star)

Analysis

Hooker is a good quarterback, however, I do have concerns. He is on the older side and with his ACL injury, he won’t see the field till he’s almost 26. Hooker is a strong runner and uses his legs when he needs to. Tennessee did run some designed runs with Hooker. I am not the biggest fan of how statuesque he is in the pocket. While he seems to be in control, he is very flat-footed in the pocket. Hooker has a great arm that was a big part of his game this year, however, there were a good amount of overthrows to wide-open wide receivers. He makes good choices but there were questionable moments where he looked a little rattled. Earlier in the season, Hooker had a drive where he threw a pass that should have been intercepted. Immediately after, he did throw an interception, but a penalty away from the play bailed him out. Hooker has ideal size at the quarterback position; it aids his running and makes him unafraid to take hits. I would have liked seeing him throw off schedule more but he never really had to this year because of Tennessee’s prolific offense and great play-calling. He has a high ceiling due to his arm and running ability.